Manufacturing is America’s staple for economic growth, but during the past 16 months, manufacturing companies are facing many challenges brought on by the effects of COVID-19. To reduce the economic impact, companies are postponing and curtailing employee’s education and training programs.
The Danger of Postponing Training Programs
Analysis from employee reviews sites like Glassdoor shows how important training and education programs are to employee job satisfaction and overall company culture. The business rationale is clear:
Training and education programs keep employees engaged, ensure continued skill building, improve productivity, keep communication channels open and bring people back together post-COVID-19 induced periods of isolation and remote work.
The Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19
One thing that history teaches us that major events like COVID-19, not only effect short-term changes but also changes that last for decades. We see this already with online buying habits changing, social media, and increases in-home service deliveries.
The same can be said for manufacturers with disrupted supply chains, workforce availability challenges, and an increased need for automation. One thing is sure: the manufacturing landscape will be forever altered as a result of COVID-19.
Why Do Today’s Manufacturing Employees Need New Skills Now?
- During the past 18 months, there has been a big shift towards automating traditional manufacturing. Due to that shift, there are several major reasons why employees in manufacturing now require and need higher-level skills. Technology is becoming an absolute must-have to stay competitive.
- Increased investment in digital machines providing real-time shop floor data requires a higher skilled operator or technician.
- Greater need for math skills: Connected machines are constantly collecting data. Operators need to be able to analyze and react to the data to improve productivity and drive efficiencies.
- More robotics equipment is being integrated into production lines requiring a new set of skills.
- Knowledge of how to work and coordinate with a digitally connected supply chain.
- Communication skills to work with team members and clients from all backgrounds.
NJIT’s Professional Development ProgramsNJIT offers several programs designed to help manufacturers like you develop and prepare your workforce for the challenges they will now face in a post-COVID-19 world. The programs offered by NJIT focus on proven ways to up-skill your workforce to meet the demands required to be successful.
Professional Development Courses Offered at NJIT
- Industrial Manufacturing Technician
- Front Line Supervisor
- Project Management
- Six Sigma Green and Black Belt
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In short, these courses are developed by experienced professionals and are proven to help new and existing employees improve performance, increase job satisfaction, boost morale, and reduce employee turnover.
Corporate Solutions
The programs listed above are offered as “open enrollment” courses that anyone can take, and that companies can send multiple employees to attend. They can also be offered privately to your employees, at your site, at NJIT, virtually, or even in a hybrid model. Furthermore, they can be customized and tailored to suit the unique needs of your organization. Their purpose is to create innovation, competitiveness, and national resilience.
Manufacturing Matters
You can make a big impact on retention and performance by re-introducing the professional development and corporate training programs that have been put on hold during the pandemic. Companies that invest in up-skilling are better equipped to lead in global manufacturing.
Contact us at https://www.njii.com/pce/ to learn more.